Mail-bag.



lNu. 682,20I. Patented Sept. I0, IQOII.

L. M. KELLEY.

MAIL BAG.

(Application filed Feb. 28, 1901., (No Huriet.)

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LILLIAS lll. KELLEY, OF COL, OVVA.

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SPECIFIGATEION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,201, dated September l0, 1961.

Application filed February Z8, 1901. Serial No. 49,345. (No model.)

T0 all w/"tom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LILLIAs M. KELLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colo, in the county of Story and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention provides a bag for use in delivery of mail and small packages in rural and sparsely-settled places, the purpose being to save time and facilitate distribution, as well as to provide a simple, light, cheap, and effective device of this character, which will likewise lessen the labor of assorti ng the m atter to be distributed.

For a full description of the invention and the 1n erits thereof, and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

Vhile the essentialand characteristic features of the invention are necessarily susceptible of modification, still vthe preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front view of a bag embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical seetion on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line Y Y of Fig. l.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views ot the drawings by the same reference characters.

The device is composed of a series of pockets l, arranged in vertical rows and having the pockets of the respective rows overlapping one another. These pockets have their overlapped portions stitched or otherwise secured, and their open ends are reinforced by tape or binding 2 of any material. The number of pockets in a row and the number of rows will depend upon the size and capacity of the bag and the extent of places of delivery. The pockets may be constructed of duck, canvas, or any textile or material suitable for the purpose, and are iieXible, so as to admit of the bag being rolled or folded into a comparatively small package for convenience and ease of carrying. While the pockets of a row overlap, theirfront portion is free, so as to admit of the matter, package, or article to'be carried being readily inserted therein without interference, such as would result if the front and back were stitched or secured together at a point between the ends or edges. For strength and durability the back of one pocketis stitched to the front of the adjacent pocket along the top edge, as shown at 3, and at a point a short distance from said edge, as shown at 4. Hence the pockets are firmly attached in multiple series. The pockets are preferably numbered or labeled, as shown at 5, to designate the person or place for delivery of the mail, package, or other matter to be distributed.

Vertical strips G serve to space the vertical rows of pockets and to connect thexn transversely, and these strips reinforce the bag and sustain the vertical strain when the pockets are loaded and the bag is suspended upon a wall, partition, or other support. These vertical strips 6 may be of fabric, leather, or

kindred material which will admit of the bag being rolled or folded and which can be stitched along its longitudinal edges to the edge portions of the pockets. The vertical strips 6 are attached at their upper ends to a transverse strip 7, which is provided at intervals with suspending-hooks 8 for supporting the bag either when asserting the matter and placing it in the pockets or when suspended in a vehicle to yfacilitate distribution of the mail or packages for delivery. The back 9 is stitched to the outer edges of the outermost rows of pockets and to the lower edge of the transverse strip 7 and protects the rear side of the pockets and enables the bag as a whole to beconveniently folded or rolled, said back holding the lower loose ends of the pockets in close relationship to one another.

When assorting the mail, the bag is extended and suspended by means of the hooks 8, the matter being placed in the respective pockets. Vthen ready for delivery, the bag may be folded or rolled until the locality of distribution is reached, when the bag is unfolded or unrolled and suspended in the vehicle, so that the matter may be delivered in rotation, it being remembered that in assorting the mail the letters and other matter is IOO distributed with reference to the pockets, so that the places or stations will be reached in rotation, beginning at the lower right-hand or lefthand corner of the bag, as may be determined upon. The advantage of beginning at the lower corner will be readily appreciated when it is understood that the label or number upon the pockets is concealed by the matter contained in the pockets next lower in series. Hence when the mail is removed from the lowermost pocket the label on the adjacent upper pocket is exposed, each label or number being exposed in rotation, according as the delivery or distribution progresses.

Having thus desc ribed the invention, what is claimed as new isl. In a device of the character set forth, vertical rows of pockets, and vertical strips separating the rows of pockets and attached at their longitudinal edges thereto and adapted to sustain the strain, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, vertical rows of overlapping pockets having overlapped portions secured together, and vertical strips separatin g the rows of pockets and attached at their edges to the overlapped portions ofthe pockets secured together', substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, vertical rows of pockets, a transverse strip provided with suspending means, and vertical strips attached to the transverse strip at their upper ends and secured at their longitudinal edges to the edges of the respective rows of pockets, substantially as set forth.

4C. The herein-described bag comprising a back, a transverse strip at the upper end of the back provided with suspending means, vertical rows of pockets having overlapped portions secured together, the outermost rows of pockets being secured to the edges of the back, and vertical strips attached at their upper ends to the transverse strip and at their edges to the respective rows of pockets, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LILLIAS M. KELLEY. 

